The Foundry Retail Park in Rotherham has been put up for sale by its fund manager owners according to a report in a national property magazine.
Formerly known as the Great Eastern Retail Park at Parkgate, the 170,748 sq ft retail development with 813 car parking spaces, is home to The Range, Harveys, DFS, Wren Kitchens and B&M.
The site was bought in 2012 by a specialist joint venture partnership of Brockton Capital and Pradera in a deal worth around £22.1m. The partnership was established to selectively acquire a portfolio of retail parks throughout the UK and jointly committed sufficient equity to enable a gross portfolio value of approximately £250m to be acquired.
The joint venture with Pradera's retail warehouse team aimed to reposition out-of-town parks for the next generation of convenience-led consumer and within 36 months of being established in 2011, it had acquired around £300m of parks in towns from Cardiff to Warrington to Bangor to Milton Keynes and elsewhere.
Now Property Week is reporting that Brockton Capital has appointed JLL to market the portfolio which includes nine regionally located assets.
Advertisement The UBS Triton Property Fund, who bought the retail park in 2006, refurbished the properties in 2010. At the time of the sale to Brockton, The Foundry had an annual rental income of £1.7m and the purchase reflected a net initial yield of around 9.25%.
Further refurbishment work has taken place and recent openings include Oak Furniture Land, JYSK and United Carpets. Plans have been approved for American coffee company and coffeehouse chain, Starbucks to open a purpose built outlet in the park. United Carpets are also set to expand, enabling co-operative company, AHF Furniture to move in.
In 2015, BMO Real Estate Partners (BMO) acquired the nearby Parkgate Shopping, which is one of the largest retail parks in the UK and home to over 40 shops, in a transaction worth around £175m.
Dransfield Properties, the Barnsley-based company that specialises in retail led regeneration schemes, has been appointed as a development partner at the Waverley development in Rotherham.
A consultation event was held last week over proposals for a hotel, restaurants, shops, supermarket and community facilities.
Yorkshire's largest ever brownfield mixed-use development is being brought forward by landowner and developer, Harworth Group plc, and was approved in 2010 as the largest, most complex, planning application ever considered by Rotherham Council who gave outline approval for a new 3,890 home community across 741 acres.
After the site of the former Orgreave coking works was reclaimed, Harron Homes, Taylor Wimpey and Barratt have built 500 homes between 2012 and 2016, whilst one million sq ft has already been built at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) for occupiers such as Rolls-Royce and Boeing.
The site is key to the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District (AMID) where the aim is to develop Europe's largest research-led advanced manufacturing cluster.
Just as important as the commercial and research facilities, the Sheffield city region's Infrastructure Investment Plan sets out that interventions to provide connectivity within the nucleus including public transport, cycling and walking are being encouraged. A high quality local centre to serve the needs of the AMID will also be encouraged to "act as a draw across the wider area and provide the much needed facilities to ensure the area works as a viable, vibrant and dynamic housing / employment community."
Now, plans are progressing for "Waverley Walk", the piece of the jigsaw between the residential and commercial development which is set to create that high quality local centre.
Dransfield works in partnership with local stakeholders and its latest scheme is the impressive £50m Fox Valley scheme that has transformed a steel stockholding yard into a vibrant mixed use town centre development at Stocksbridge.
Advertisement A consultation event was recently held on the Waverley site and showed that the inspiration for the new local centre was from the Fox Valley scheme that had been "carefully designed to reflect the area's rich industrial heritage as well as answering the need for a new retail and commercial heart."
As housebuilding progresses at pace, the proposed local centre has been relocated to sit between the AMP and residential areas - land previously known as Highfield Commercial where the AMRC Training Centre is located and where a Marston's opened a new build pub in 2014.
Proposed plans include a 26,000 sq ft hotel with 65 rooms and a restaurant, a 14,500 sq ft supermarket unit, 20 further units for retail and other uses such as gym and leisure and restaurants, a bus interchange, medical centre and over 400 car parking spaces.
Iain Thomson, partnerships manager at Harworth Estates, explained the importance of the scheme being high quality. He said: "This could be a "market-facing" development with standard occupiers but that's missing the point, especially as plans progress for the wider Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District.
"It needs to be high quality, and it needs to have high profile tenants, and that's why we have gone with Dransfield. The local centre is an importance piece of the jigsaw that ties together the residential and the AMP developments."
Following positive feedback from the consultation event, a planning application is expected next year. Following ground preparations, the scheme is expected to take two years to build.
Yorkshire retailer Heron Foods has unwrapped the latest site in its partnership with the Post Office which ensures that a branch remains in Dinnington, Rotherham.
Having opened a new store in the former Eastwood Hotel pub earlier this year, the provider of top quality food products at the lowest possible prices, has officially opened its Dinnington store which also includes a co-located Post Office.
The opening of the Post Office has secured three part-time positions, with staff transferring from the former branch that closed down. The new branch is part of a programme of modernisation and investment across the Post Office network.
Mike Igoe, commercial director at Heron Foods, said: "We understand how important having a Post Office is to the residents of Dinnington. We're pleased that it's Heron Foods who is bringing back all of the benefits of Post Office counter services to the local community. The addition of a Post Office inside our Dinnington store, will make it easier for working people to access services, and they will be able to pick up plenty of Heron deals at the same time."
Advertisement Kenny Lamont, Network Operations Area Manager at the Post Office, added: "This is the fourth Post Office that has opened within Heron Foods. Our new partnership with this leading discount food retailer works really well. This conveniently located new branch, which is open seven days a week and with long opening hours, makes it easy for customers to get their cash, send and collect their mail and do their banking because we know how important these services are to local residents. We are confident that this vibrant new-style Post Office at the heart of the local community will meet customer needs and safeguard Post Office services in Dinnington for the future."
The rapidly growing East Yorkshire-based business was established in 1979 and now operates 240 stores. With increasing competition in the discount food market, Heron Foods Ltd posted turnover of £253m for the year up to December 25 2015, compared with £255m in the previous year.
With a strong presence in High Street locations, district centres and busy secondary locations in all towns in the North of England and the Midlands, the company said it has a strong pipeline for new store openings and expects to open in excess of 20 new and relocated stores in 2016.
The last remaining traders in the run-down Riverside Precinct are set to be offered a way out as Rotherham Council prepares to launch a bid to buy the properties to aid its town centre regeneration ambitions.
The authority is in negotiations to buy the Forge Island site which is currently home to an empty supermarket and a car park following the relocation of Tesco across town in 2014.
Rothbiz revealed in September that a bid to buy further properties at the adjacent Riverside Precinct was on the cards and now Commissioner Kenny is set to be asked to approve attempts to acquire the "remaining interests in the properties forming part of Riverside Precinct to assist in the redevelopment of Forge Island and to deliver wider town centre regeneration."
The authority already owns a number of units within the small courtyard parade of eight shops on Corporation Street, which has seen a decline in footfall and an increase in empty units since Tesco relocated.
Advertisement A number of tenants have already made the move across town out of the precinct where only a few traders remain. Andrew's - the Yorkshire Butcher - moved to Effingham Street, close to the £40m Tesco store, John Norris Greengrocers moved to a unit in the Old Town Hall and Craft Corner & The Bear's Den moved into the regenerated former Georgian town house on the High Street.
The funding for the acquisition is set to come from the £17m town centre allocation in the Council's Capital Strategy and investigations are underway into leaseholders and their tenancies. Expected costs have not been made public.
The approval would enable council officers to enter into formal negotiations to purchase the remaining four leasehold interests via private treaty negotiation of Units 1, 2, 5 & 8.
The acquisition would form a key part of any redevelopment providing a link from Forge Island through onto Corporation Street and into the core of the town centre.
Separate draft proposals from 2012 showed the Riverside Precinct replaced by new retail units and a family pub, or a mixed use residential area.
A council report points out the current market conditions affecting the precinct which should help with the acquisition, "with reduced footfall and depressed rental levels affecting the capital values and the likelihood of potential purchasers or tenants."
Cllr Denise Lelliott, cabinet member for jobs and the local economy said last month: "Forge Island is a major feature in the town centre regeneration. Private investment flows into a town centre where there is development certainty and where projects can be seen to be viable. We are confident that this development will act as a catalyst to other development in the area and will help to regenerate surrounding areas."
Advertisement ARUP's supplementary planning document states: "Forge Island will become a major new piece of the Town Centre, with a strong leisure and residential focus. Forge Island will be a new mixed-use leisure hub. Proposals should seek to incorporate a mix of residential units and leisure developments (including A3/A4/D2 uses [restaurants, pubs, leisure]), to help create a new and vibrant Leisure Quarter in the centre of Rotherham that complements the existing Retail Quarter.
"New linkages should be created across the river, to provide movement routes on an east-west and north-south axis, intersecting at a new public square."
The Council is set use its financial firepower to invest around £17m in key projects that have been agreed in principle as those that should be supported. These include a cinema, which in turn is expected to attract secondary restaurant, shop and bar developments. The pot includes provisional sums for the purchase of Forge Island and a "reverse premium" to incentivise a developer or end user to deliver a leisure scheme.
A detailed development proposal and a delivery and implementation plan for the Forge Island site will be prepared in tandem with the town centre masterplan which is due to be completed in Spring 2017.
A vacant unit at Parkgate Shopping in Rotherham looks likely to be taken by Holland & Barrett, the UK's leading health food store.
Holland & Barrett is the UK's leading retailer of vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements and operates over 700 stores across the country, with new outlets opening up all the time. Shop staff are trained to help customers choose the right products to help maintain optimum health. Holland & Barrett bring you over 1,000 high quality vitamins, minerals, health foods and other nutritional supplements.
Based in Nuneaton, the retailer has ambitions to become a £1 billion business by 2020. It is part of the US health group NBTY, owned by private equity firm Carlyle, and is also planning expansion overseas.
With an outlet already in Rotherham town centre, a planning application has now been submitted by Holland & Barrett to Rotherham Council for further alterations to a vacant retail unit at Parkgate Shopping.
Closing down signs went up at Brantano at the start of the year as it continued to trade whilst in administration. Joint administrators secured a deal for 140 of its stores and concessions, but the Rotherham store was one of 58 not acquired.
Advertisement Alteration plans for the 9,000 sq ft unit, which has been subdivided, were approved last month and now Holland & Barrett has submitted plans for new air conditioning condenser units on the property.
In a transaction worth around £175m, BMO Real Estate Partners (BMO) acquired Parkgate Shopping in September 2015 from the Hercules Unit Trust (HUT), which is advised by British Land and managed by Schroders.
Recent openings include The Works and Smyth's Toys, and plans served up for a new standalone unit for Costa Coffee have recently been approved.
Plans have also been approved for alterations in a bid to secure new tenants for the former BHS store and the unit currently occupied by Bensons for Beds has recently been made available to let.
Agents for the site, ESH, say that the new owners are committing major investment to the park, including improved shop frontages, landscaping, car parking and pedestrian access.
Developers are showing an interest in the opportunities for commercial projects in Rotherham town centre.
Rotherham Council and the Rotherham Together Partnership, which brings together representatives from key local agencies, have both highlighted town centres as one of the top priorities for the borough.
The last few months have seen the Council take the lead on a development projects within the town centre - notably with its proposed acquisition of Forge Island. With £17m set aside from its Capital Strategy, work is underway to prioritise projects and outline business cases for a number of projects including a cinema / leisure scheme on Forge Island.
Commissioner Julie Kenny discussed the progress in town centre redevelopment at a recent Rotherham Together Partnership engagement event, highlighting the potential of Forge Island, the Riverside Precint, the Interchange, Westgate Chambers and other sites for housing.
Kenny said: "For the first time in a while we have developers coming to us to see what opportunities and land is available in Rotherham town centre." She also discussed the planned Higher Education campus on Doncaster Gate in terms of regenerating the town and the importance of young people staying in Rotherham to train in the skills needed by Rotherham businesses.
Advertisement The authority is also hoping to acquire Riverside Precinct to support its regeneration ambitions for Forge Island. It owns the freeholds but not the leaseholds of the property on Corporation Street.
Damien Wilson, Strategic Director of Regeneration & Environment at Rotherham Council, recently told councillors: "There's two key aspects to any comprehensive regeneration scheme - one is planning certainty and the other one is land or building control, the ownership. Any developer that wants to consider investment in the town will want those kind of guarantees. They don't want to take risk, they want to "de-risk" as much as possible.
"The acquisition of Forge Island is a key part, and that's a key commitment the Council has already made. Separate to that we are exploring the courts building at the other side of the canal, which, whilst we don't own, we are in negotiations with government agencies with the hope that that asset can be transferred.
"Linking to the Precinct, what you'll then have is three sites that are linked physically and in development terms has an "added marriage value." In isolation each site has a value but when you lump the three together there's a collective value that can be achieved. It would increase the amount of land available and the increase the development potential.
"It is fundamental that you have that link through the precinct - the gateway between the town centre and Forge Island. Without prejudging, it may be that those units have a future within the masterplan or it maybe that it might be desirable for the community and for the masterplan to come forward with a scheme that says remove it and increase the vista between the town centre and the Minster, and Forge Island."
Aggregate footfall in the town centre continues to decline and a contract to provide a town centre masterplan has recently been awarded. The work, which is set to be completed in Spring 2017, will build on the previous Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for the town centre.
The Council has also said that five of its economic development projects, plus one housing bid, have recently been submitted to the Sheffield City Region for funding, utilising an underspend from currently approved projects under the Sheffield City Region Investment Fund (SCRIF) programme. The results of the bids should be known soon and a further full bidding round is due early in 2017, using the funds available to the City Region through the devolution deal.
A bid from the Council has also been submitted to the Government to secure funding from the Starter Homes fund to kickstart housing development on three sites in the town centre.
Rotherham-based Gala Tent Ltd, one of the UK's leading producers of marquees, tents and gazebos, has helped breathe new life into Electric Avenue, one of London's most famous market streets.
Gala Tent were appointed by Lambeth Council after winning a competitive tender to provide temporary market structures which forms part of a million pound makeover of the world-famous Electric Avenue arcade, funded through the Mayor of London's High Street Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund and Lambeth Council.
The temporary structures provided by Gala Tent will be used to replace older outdated market stalls and will complement the extensive overhaul of Electric Avenue which has seen the installation of new LED lighting, the creation of new hard landscaping and new power units for market traders.
Celebrations to commemorate the re-opening of Electric Avenue were led by Eddy Grant, singer of 1980s hit "Electric Avenue" who unveiled a new neon sign to mark the completion of the refurbishment project.
Since launching in 1999, Gala Tent has developed a range of bespoke marquee and gazebos aimed specifically at market owners, which have been used to support a range of weekly events taking place across the UK through its partnerships with a number of local authorities and outdoor market organisers including Group Geraud, NABMA (National Association of British Market Authorities) and the national market initiative, Love Your Local Market.
Advertisement Jason Mace, managing director of Gala Tent, said: "It is an honour for us to see our marquees and gazebos as the focal point to one of the most famous markets held in the UK. Electric Avenue is a world famous street, with an equally iconic market. We worked closely with Lambeth Council throughout the summer and they will be able to benefit from our tough, durable and flexible range of products which have been specifically developed with market owners and traders in mind.
"Street traders will benefit from a brand new marketplace and it's plain to see the work undertaken will help to play a vital role in regenerating the locality. It has been a real pleasure to support this exciting regeneration project and it's been an interesting, enjoyable project that we're proud to have contributed towards."
Cllr. Jennifer Brathwaite, cabinet member for environment & transport, at Lambeth London Borough Council, added: "Electric Avenue was the first street to be lit by electricity in Britain and the street has an enormous amount of cultural significance within Brixton. The regeneration work we have undertaken will help to restore this popular area to its former glory, delivering a much improved environment for traders and local residents, boosting trade, making it easier for people to shop and increasing visitors to the town centre.
"The launch of the refurbished street was a huge success which was made memorable by the Mayor of London and of course Eddy Grant, who helped to make the name Electric Avenue known throughout the world."
Applicants behind plans for a £300m Leisure Hall at Meadowhall insist that it will not have any unacceptable trading effects on Rotherham town centre or cause any significant adverse impact on planned investment.
The retail destination at Meadowhall is 5 km from Sheffield city centre and 3 km from Rotherham town centre. British Land, joint owner of Meadowhall, has recently submitted plans for a proposed extension that forms part of a five-year vision to extend the leisure offer at the centre.
The plan comprises a 330,000 sq ft multi-level extension housed under a glazed roof on land currently used for car parking. Plans show leisure space to provide a range of other uses to meet the needs of a wide family group, including a new cinema (the existing Vue Cinema will close, and be changed to an alternative leisure use) plus space for food and drink outlets. A new foodstore and added retail units are also planned.
Due to the out-of-town location, the applicants are required to undertake a sequential test and impact studies in line with national planning policies.
Sequential tests ensure that development is located in the most sustainable location first (usually in town centres), before other, less sustainable locations are chosen. In this instance development sites in Sheffield, Rotherham and other town centres have been discounted. Forge Island, Drummond Street and the markets site in Rotherham have been discounted as being too small for the nature of development proposed.
The retail impact study shows that Sheffield is losing out to other areas such as Leeds, Manchester and Nottingham and that the redevelopment proposals for the city centre (SRQ) and Meadowhalll need to take place, "where it can be shown that neither undermine each other."
The study argues that: "neither the leisure, the food and beverage nor the retail components of the scheme will have any unacceptable trading effects on any of the established shopping centres. The impact of the scheme alone on the shopping centres are considered to be negligible, even on the worst case sensitivity test. Moreso, whilst there are a number of other commitments that in combination will affect the trading performance of shopping centres in the catchment of The Leisure Hall, the cumulative impacts are modest.
"As a consequence, there will be no significant adverse impact on the vitality and viability of any established shopping centre."
In terms of planned investments, the study argues that the scheme will not cause any significant adverse impact on that investment which is planned in Sheffield, Barnsley, Doncaster or Rotherham, adding that: "this is for a combination of reasons, including the different nature of the proposals, the different catchment areas (therefore lack of overlap of trade), prevailing market conditions and the nature of the planned investment."
Advertisement Specifically on the impact to Rotherham, the plans estimate that the town will continue to improve its leisure and retail offer to deliver an improved experience to its more local catchment when compared to Meadowhall's broader offer.
It is estimated that the cumulative impact of the proposal and outstanding commitments will mean that trading in Rotherham town centre will be reduced by 4.2% in 2022.
The anticipated trading effects of the food and beverage part of the new Meadowhall scheme will see £1.08m (-2.4%) of trade away diverted away from Rotherham town centre in 2022. Comparatively, Sheffield is £9.96m (-2.6%), Barnsley is £1.6m (-2.7%) and Doncaster is £1.15m (-0.8%).
The anticipated impact of the proposal on the retail turnover of town centres sees £1.57m (-0.8%) of trade diverted away from Rotherham town centre in 2022. Comparatively, Sheffield is £15.60m (-1.7%), Barnsley is £2.23m (-1%) and Doncaster is £1.43m (-0.4%).
The plans add that as Rotherham town centre has no cinema or other family leisure uses, and that the evening economy is focused on pubs and clubs, "the impact on wider leisure uses will be very limited."
The plans go on to say that Meadowhall is hoping to rival the cinema development at nearby Centretainment and that "there is no evidence to suggest that the replacement cinema proposed will have any significant adverse impact on "town centre" cinemas or, importantly, any material impact on the vitality and viability of existing centres."
In terms of planned in centre investment in Rotherham, the applicants state that "we are not aware of any scheme coming forward that will be undermined by the proposal."
Regarding proposals for Forge Island, they are not considered as "committed investment that is contractually committed or subject to resolution" and are not included in the impact statement.
The plans state: "To date no cinema-led scheme has been advanced. Nevertheless, it is not considered that the new replacement cinema at Meadowhall, would undermine the future delivery of a cinema and associated food and beverage uses in this location should a scheme come forward.
"Critically, the cinema being proposed is to replace an existing cinema. Consequently, the market analysis undertaken as part of the preparation of the SPD that suggests potential interest in a cinema is Rotherham is in the context that a cinema already operates at Meadowhall and Valley Centertainment and will complement any future offer in Rotherham. Consequently, there is no contrary evidence to suggest this market demand will still exist."
Rotherham Council, who have a desire for a leisure development on Forge Island, will be consulted on the Meadowhall plans. Sheffield City Council is expected to make a decision in spring 2017.
Businesses in Rotherham town centre are hoping for a boost this festive season as free parking on Saturdays and Sundays returns in all council-run on-street bays and off-street car parks.
As the Christmas lights switch welcomed hundreds of visitors into All Saints' Square, Rotherham Council unwrapped the parking offer which will start on Saturday November 19 and includes Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve and will see car parking made free on Saturdays (as well as every Sunday as normal).
Free parking is available as usual at weekends on Forge Island as well as for up to two hours for free on weekdays in the "red zone."
Advertisement Cllr. Denise Lelliott, cabinet member for jobs and the local economy at Rotherham Council, said: "I'm pleased to announce the free Saturday parking in Council-owned car parks. We want to do all we can to help shoppers and businesses alike. Local traders have said that the free parking in the run up to the festive season gives them a vital boost to their businesses.
"We have a very good and improved retail offer in the town centre, as confirmed by Rotherham winning the national award for the Great British High Street of the year awards in 2015. Our independent shops have a well-deserved reputation for providing first-class customer service as well as having quality goods. Shopping in the town centre gives lots of choice for customers, come along and use the free parking to see the great range of gifts and products on offer.
"This Christmas, we hope that everyone in Rotherham gets behind their local shops and businesses - your support can really make a difference to our local economy."
The run up to Christmas is seen as a key trading period for retailers and town centre footfall has been in decline. Events aimed at boosting visitor numbers in the run up to Christmas include a Festive Wonderland in All Saints' Square, late night shopping, a Victorian Christmas and visits from reindeers and Father Christmas himself.
Changes were made to parking charges in Rotherham town centre earlier in 2016 to help fill a deficit in the Council's parking services budget. Councillors wanted an option to to increase charges on the basis of free (off street) parking being provided on Saturdays but this was not acceded to.
The masterplan currently in development for the town centre is set to address accessibility, traffic, transport and connectivity issues including public transport, walking and cycling, taxis and car parking.
WYG Group has been selected from 14 companies to work with Rotherham Council to develop a masterplan for Rotherham town centre.
The follow-up piece of work will build on the work of consultants, Arup, and become an important tool in marketing the wider town centre to potential investors and encouraging further regeneration and improvement. It is also set to cover transport issues in more detail, including the preparation of a car parking strategy for the town.
It is set to provide "bold and deliverable solutions for leisure, retail, recreation and town centre living" and explains that "a step change in the retail offer of the town is required to revive the sector and ensure that it meets modern needs and requirements."
At a cost of around £130,000, consultants at WYG are expected to identify national retail trends, and the future role and purpose of Rotherham in an increasingly competitive market. A review of requirements for retail in Rotherham is required, as is an assessment of the impact of the new Tesco superstore and the possible re-alignment of the town's retail offer.
Advertisement Project director Andrew Clarke, who originates from Rotherham, so knows the town well, said: "We're looking forward to working on an exciting and ambitious plan for the town and building on the good work undertaken to date. I want this commission to be part of the next stage in the town centre’s regeneration and to help focus attention on the actions needed to make a real difference on the ground.
"The masterplan will take forward the improvements and changes envisaged in the Supplementary Planning Document and draw together other town centre initiatives. We will bring proposals to life and will test what is possible. We will ensure proposals are realistic and deliverable, striking the right balance of ambition and pragmatism. Our work will help market town centre development opportunities to potential investors. This is very much an investment plan geared towards unlocking positive change in Rotherham town centre."
The masterplan will also provide further details on how the town centre will be developed over coming years, including the development of sites to provide an improved leisure offer and increase the number of town centre residents, as well as improving linkages for people to move around the town centre.
Cllr. Denise Lelliott, Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy at Rotherham Council, said: "We are delighted to have WYG Group working on this key piece of work and to welcome Andrew and his team to Rotherham. Meanwhile, work will continue to develop proposals for key sites in the town, including Forge Island, alongside the masterplan. This will allow us to begin construction work as soon as is practically possible, whilst ensuring the developments sit comfortably within the bigger picture being created for Rotherham town centre."
The Council was working to a timetable geared towards producing a draft masterplan by April 2017.
This Saturday, December 3, is Small Business Saturday and a number of events are taking place in Rotherham town centre where you can shop local.
Launching in the UK in 2013, Small Business Saturday is a grassroots, non-political, non-commercial campaign, which highlights small business success and encourages consumers to support them in their communities, both on the Saturday and beyond.
The concept is based on the initiative that already exists in America. In the US, Small Business Saturday takes place on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving celebrations, one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Conceived and promoted by American Express, Small Business Saturday complements "Black Friday" and "Cyber Monday" which focus largely on big box and online retailers.
Michelle Ovens MBE, director of Small Business Saturday UK, said: "Last year, small business owners, local authorities, a wide range of other organisations and members of the public embraced Small Business Saturday more than ever before.
"The British public has a great affection for small businesses and tapping into that continues to be important. The small businesses themselves really make the campaign as they effectively deliver it on the ground and collectively show the depth and breadth that exists within the sector.
"This year we aim to reach more people, get more engagement, and encourage more people to support small businesses. We will be talking a lot about community because whether they are selling to consumers online or in a particular location or B2B businesses working together and doing business together, our small businesses are a community that benefits both our local and national economies."
AdvertisementIn Rotherham town centre, celebrate by shopping local and visit staff (elves) in All Saints' Square between 10am and 2pm to take advantage of the free Christmas gift wrapping stall, plus you can pick up a copy of the town centre gift guide.
Also in All Saints' Square, the Festive Wonderland event includes free Christmas crafts with expert help from Dawn at High Street's Craft Corner, free face painting, mischievous elves, storytelling, festive photo boards, bronco reindeer as well as Father Christmas in his grotto.
The Old Market Gallery, now at Keppel Wharf, is hosting a Christmas Market from 10am to 3pm with crafts and artworks by local artists for sale, as well as free arts activities, acoustic music, poetry and festive drumming throughout the day.
Rotherham Council has unwrapped the parking offer that sees car parking made free on Saturdays (as well as every Sunday as normal), including Small Business Saturday, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.
Free parking is available as usual at weekends on Forge Island as well as for up to two hours for free on weekdays in the "red zone."
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) research shows that for every £1 spent with a small or medium-size business, 63p is re-spent in the local area. This is compared to 40p in every £1 spent with a chain or larger business.
Mike Cherry, National Chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said: "As we approach Christmas, now is the time for all of us to go out and celebrate our local businesses.
"Small firms make a big difference to their community and the life of the nation, with many going above and beyond to help their small business neighbours and local start-ups. FSB backs the campaign at branch, region, nation and UK level as a way to say a simple 'thank you' to small business owners in every corner of the country.
"We hope even more people will turn out this year, to value the diversity and vibrancy of the UK small business community. This is a good moment to check out what small local businesses offer the whole year round. Whether you're shopping, buying services or products, choosing where to go for a meal, or building a website - hard working, innovative small businesses in the UK are the first place you should look."
IN 'n' OUT is set to bring its completely new approach to car servicing, MOT testing and car maintenance to Rotherham when it opens at a popular retail development.
A US "drive thru" concept has been expanded to offer fixed price MOT, servicing and valet without the need for appointment. The expanding Northamptonshire company has plans for 300 UK sites over the next five years, primarily located on retail parks.
IN 'n' OUT has secured a 5,000 sq ft unit on phase two at Gate Park for its first site in South Yorkshire. It is the last remaining unit at Gregory Property Group's hugely successful retail venture on Great Eastern Way at Parkgate.
Advertisement Gate Park is now fully let with prime tenants including Aldi, Iceland and Home Bargains with other tenants including Pizza Hut, Barnardo's and Formula One Autocentres.
Rotherham recycling experts, Ron Hull, teamed up with Leeds-based developers, Gregory Projects in 2014 to bring forward the retail development on the site of a former car showroom.
Andrew Foggitt, director of Gregory Projects said: "We are delighted to reveal the final occupier at Gate Park as we reach completion of phase two of the development. The project is testament to the quality of the location and the need for a range of discount shopping options for the Parkgate community."
The Leeds office of Bilfinger GVA and the Sheffield office of Knight Frank have advised Gregory on the lettings. Forward funding was secured from Bramall Properties Limited and Sheffield-based JF Finnegan was the main contractor.
IN 'n' OUT is expected to open in Rotherham in February 2017.
British retailing group, Sports Direct is eyeing up a massive retail unit in Rotherham, vacated by B&Q earlier this year, for a number of new stores - if planning permission can be secured.
The 51,000 sq ft mini-warehouse is part of the £6m Northfields Retail Park developed by Henry Boot on brownfield land close to the established Parkgate Shopping retail park.
Having only opened in 2009 after relocating from nearby Thornhill, B&Q closed in June 2016 under plans by the owner, Kingfisher plc to "transform its offer" to customers. The store at Cortonwood in Rotherham remains open.
With agents brought in to extinguish the B&Q leases as quickly and efficiently as possible, a planning application was submitted earlier this year for the change of use of the building from bulky retail to a flexible use within retail, plus a health and fitness club, or a car showroom.
Planning consultants working for Sports Direct have also met with council planners to determine whether the empty building can be redeveloped into units that they would like to see house a Sports Direct store, one for high end fashion subsidiary, Flannels, and two speculative units with mezzanine floors.
The company's own health and fitness club business could also move to the site in a unit created by enclosing the sides of the former covered garden centre.
Advertisement The development site has had an interesting planning history. Outline planning permission was granted in October 2006 for a mixed use development of industrial and retail units by the Planning Inspectorate following an appeal against the non-determination of the planning application by the Council. The Planning Inspector imposed a condition so that the units could not be subdivided to create individual units of less than 929 sq m (10,000 sq ft).
Conditions on a 2007 amendment also restricted the type of goods that could be sold at the development. It read: "The retail units shall not be used to sell goods other than (a) DIY and Hardware goods, (b) Furniture and Floor Coverings, (c) Electrical goods" and explicitly said that there could be no sales of retail goods such as food, clothes, footwear, sports equipment and toys.
A response to Sports Direct's plans has now been published online and the Council states that the use of this site for restricted retail sales has been established but more detail would be needed on the type of goods that would be sold from the units.
In line with national planning rules, an assessment would need to be carried out on the impact of the proposed development on other current and planned developments in centres in the area, and on the vitality and viability of Rotherham town centre.
As the site is not located within a designated town, district or local centre, a sequential test assessment will also need to be undertaken. Sequential tests ensure that development is located in the most sustainable location first (usually in town centres), before other, less sustainable locations are chosen.
Robert Morrell, senior planner at Rotherham Council, concludes that: "The principle of using the building for uses other than industrial and business has been established under the original permission and the former use of the building, without a Sequential Test and Impact Assessment being submitted it is difficult at this time to indicate whether or not an application could be supported. However, it should be noted that given the type of the retail provision proposed it is likely that it would adversely impact on the vitality and viability of Rotherham town centre and other defined town centres within close proximity of the site."
Aiming to be the "Selfridges" of sports retail, Sports Direct operates a diversified portfolio of sports, fitness, fashion and lifestyle fascias and brands. It has 700 sports stores across the UK and continental Europe, including at nearby Parkgate Shopping, and 80 premium lifestyle stores in the UK. Flannels has plans to open soon in Doncaster.
In the 2016 financial year, the group posted revenues of £2.9bn, and underlying EBITDA (earnings before taxes) of £381.4m. In a tough six months, Sports Direct plc recently reported that pre-tax profits fell 25% to £140.2m.
Rotherham Council is set to block plans for a rival market in Rotherham town centre.
Market Franchise Rights are used by the Council to manage the markets that take place within the borough and ensure that the retailing environment created is successful. The legality of who can hold markets stems back 800 years when it is thought that the original royal market charter was granted by King John in the year 1207.
With the Council operating the main 88 stall market around the Centenary Market Hall, it set out its latest policy in 2013 which states that any nearby market requires a Market Rights Licence granted by the Council. The policy states that if a market is established without first obtaining the necessary licence from the Council, the market will be considered to be unlawful and the Council will take whatever legal action is deemed necessary to prevent that market from operating.
Advertisement The new owners of the Old Town Hall in Rotherham town centre have approached the Council in respect of operating a permanent market within the rejuvenated building.
Commissioners are being recommended to refuse the licence when they meet early in the new year.
The majority of the converted Old Town Hall was snapped up by an investor earlier this year having first failed to sell at auction. Converted in the 1980's into an attractive shopping arcade, the Grade II listed building is home to the likes of Games Workshop, the Crafty Tea Parlour and John Norris Greengrocers.
New owners, the privately owned investment firm, FCFM Group Ltd, has since invested in redecoration of communal areas, much needed maintenance, unit upgrades, resurfacing and jet washing of the central arcade, new lighting and new signage. Renamed "The Mall," it has also attracted new and relocating retailers with rental offers.
As it looks to improve footfall to the arcade and create a vibrant, ground floor retail space, FCFM's proposal sets out a plan to build 11 permanent market stalls within the Old Town Hall which would be let on a commercial basis.
The Council policy delegates authority to the market service to licence or if necessary prevent through legal action, any rival market within a six and two third mile radius of any market already operated by the service. It also includes a scale of charges based on the market size. The charges for a market in the Old Town Hall would be £31,200 per annum.
The owners are also asking that the licence fees due to the Council are waived.
A report to the commissioners from Dean Thurlow, markets operations manager at Rotherham Council, warns: "The market service is concerned that a second permanent market in the town centre could have an adverse effect on both the retention of existing businesses and the attraction of new businesses to the Centenary Market Hall.
"The proposal would be likely to benefit the Old Town Hall but with the risk that this would be at the expense of the Centenary Market Hall. The proposal would not generate any income to the market that could be used to help mitigate this risk."
It adds that refusing to licence the new market "will avoid the risk that footfall and spend will be diverted away from the Centenary Market to the Old Town Hall, resulting in a loss of trade for existing market hall tenants."
Advertisement The occupancy rate at the indoor Centenary Market Hall fell to 78% over the summer but new businesses have recently opened which raised occupancy back to 87%. The Council is worried that the loss of income to the Council would outweigh the potential income opportunity. The overall income target for the markets service is just over £1m.
An option to grant a licence to operate in the Old Town Hall for six months with no licence fee in order to become successfully established has also been rejected by officers.
The Council said it would continue to work constructively with FCFM around the attraction of new tenants, marketing and the delivery of events to assist in improving footfall in the town centre.
This month saw new operators officially launch the Bazaar in the covered outdoor market. Selling a range of Asian clothing, freshly cooked cuisines, jewellery and accessories, the Bazaar operates on Thursdays.
Two former Tata steelworkers from Kimberworth are turning the tables on redundancy after setting up their own business, Vinyl Soundbar, in Rotherham's indoor market.
Ian Hawkridge and Jason Sayles have been friends for many years and shared a mutual interest in music and record collecting so when the pair were made redundant in March they tracked down support to help them set up their own vinyl record business.
Both Ian and Jason attended a self-employment "taster session" for steelworkers at a special resource centre which was set up at Aldwarke by the Tata Taskforce. Ian also took part in a "start-up" workshop and met with business start-up advisor, Martyn Benson, from Rotherham Council's regeneration arm RiDO, before their idea for the record business got off the ground.
Bob Langley (RiDO Business Adviser) will be following up on the initial advice by providing further support to Ian and Jason on developing their business.
Ian and Jason secured their unit in the indoor market and as new stallholders, qualified for two months free rent and charges to help them launch the business, as well as ongoing support from Rotherham Council's Retail Investment Team.
AdvertisementIan said: "We thought there was a gap in the market for vinyl record sales in Rotherham – people are becoming more and more interested in vinyl again and the last vinyl record shop closed down more than ten years ago. The response from customers so far has been great."
Cllr. Chris Read, Leader of Rotherham Council, who chaired the Tata Taskforce, said: "The issues at Tata have made the past year a very difficult time for workers and their families. The partners involved in the Tata Taskforce have been making every effort to help those affected by helping people find alternative jobs, access training, or simply highlighting new opportunities so this is a real good news story."
Last month, Cllr. Read reported that the taskforce, which was set up in response to 720 potential redundancies at Tata, saw RiDO provide support to 323 people and a further 158 people who were deemed to be at risk, but not selected for redundancy. Of the 323, 131 have new jobs or are self-employed. 106 people made claims to Jobseekers Allowance. Only 16 people were still claiming JSA, which was considered to be a testament to the value of the support provided.
Support for those facing redundancy has also been offered through a series of job fairs, and a Taskforce Resource Centre which was set up.
One-to-one support has been given to help people prepare their CVs, whilst visitors to the centre have been able to access training funding.
The Tata Taskforce chaired by Cllr Read involved John Healey MP, Rotherham and Sheffield Councils, Sheffield City Region LEP, the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority, UK Steel Enterprise, Government agencies, the Skills Funding Agency, Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber, trade unions and Tata Steel.
International multichannel betting and gaming group, Paddy Power has lodged an appeal after Rotherham Council refused plans for a new betting shop in the town centre.
Rothbiz reported last year that the Irish group, which merged with Betfair in 2016, was planning to take the former Greggs unit in The Old Town Hall - empty now for two years - but the local authority refused permission for the operation, stating that another betting shop would harm the character and function of the town centre.
The plans, put together by consultants at Planning Potential, involve the subdivision of the 1,450 sq ft ground floor unit into two separate units - the bookmaker taking the prominent corner unit and the second to be brought back on the market.
The unit was last used by Greggs but has been empty since November 2014. The Old Town Hall is a listed building and Paddy Power is proposing not to use its standard illuminated signage but instead use a heritage style approach to fit in with the surrounding conservation area.
Betting and payday loan shops were moved into the "sui generis" category of use classes, meaning that a planning application is necessary before a building can be converted into those uses.
The application made the case that Paddy Power betting shops operate in the same way as A1 retail shops, often attracting more footfall, and add that visitors to their shops will use other shops and facilities in town.
The plans concluded: "The proposals will bring back into use a long standing vacant unit which in its current form detracts from the wider street scene and aesthetic quality of the Grade II listed building.
"Supporting evidence suggests that the introduction of a Paddy Power at this location would generate high levels of footfall, linked trips to existing businesses that make up the local shopping frontage."
However, the Council refused the application without it going to the planning board using delegated powers.
Advertisement The Council's decision states: "There are ten betting shops and three other gambling establishments in the town centre, among them, six betting shops and one gambling establishment are on the prime shopping streets. Although they only occupy approximately 5% of the units on prime shopping streets, they are within 100m radius of the application site with a bingo hall at Corporation Street being the furthest away which is within 200m radius of the application site.
"With this in mind, it is considered a further betting shop provision within Rotherham town centre, particularly in this prominent location on prime shopping streets, will contribute towards a clustering effect which will adversely affect the viability and vitality of the town centre."
With a premises licence for the proposed betting shop already granted, an appeal was lodged against the refusal. An independent planning inspector set to hear both sides later this month.
Planning policy officers at Rotherham Council have also raised issues on the perceived negative impact of betting shops. The decision adds: "While it is recognised that betting shops are engaged in legitimate activities, it is considered that the nature of the proposed use has a specific target customer group in terms of age and interest, as which it would not enhance the town centre appeal as a family friendly destination or broaden the appeal of the town centre offer.
"It is considered that the increasing availability to access gambling venues would encourage gambling behaviours and in turn, associate with risk to health inequalities."
Advertisement The bookmakers, which would employ six people in Rotherham, point to recent successful appeals in Basingstoke and Leytonstone where the inspector concluded that betting shops in those cases would not affect the viability and vitality of the relevant town centres.
In correspondence with the Council, consultants for Paddy Power also add that bringing an long-vacant unit back into use should outweigh the loss of a retail unit and that the current number of betting shops in the town centre has not reached over supply or saturation.
The hearing statement for Paddy Power states that the proposal would take up the percentage of units in prime shopping streets in Rotherham from 3.7% to 4.5% which they consider to be "a very small proportion of the prime shopping streets offer, as such, based on this alone, it cannot be said that there is currently a concentration or cluster of betting shops or that there would be as a result of the proposal."
The board of Rotherham-based fresh meat and food to go retailer, Crawshaw Group PLC is encouraged by the response to the changes it was forced to make in the light of falling sales.
The AIM-listed Hellaby firm confirmed a reduction in like for like sales towards the end of 2016 but added that expansion will continue. Growth plans involve the investment of £200m, opening 200 stores and creating 2,500 jobs.
An update on Christmas trading for the five week period to January 1 2017 stated that the company has continued to build on the progress noted November with improvements in sales and customer numbers being maintained through December.
Group sales were up 13% in the five week period versus the prior year, with total customer numbers also up 13% for the same period. Like-for-like sales were still down on the previous year at -3.8% but up from -8.1% for the four weeks ended November 27 2016. Like-for-like customer numbers were -4.2% having improved from -9.7% for the same periods.
Advertisement The group now operates 50 stores with the latest opening in Gorton, Manchester.
As new stores opened, standardised offers and price points were also introduced into existing stores but the management admitted that they "didn't resonate as well with customers as we thought."
Changes were made to give store managers flexibility to re-introduce local products, sizes, price points and offers that were previously on sale in their specific store.
On Christmas trading, Noel Collett, CEO of Crawshaw, said: "We continue to be encouraged by the customer response to the recent changes we've made which have translated into further progress over the festive trading period. Our new hamper range was particularly well received with almost 3,000 hampers sold in the Christmas week.
"Our focus will continue to be centred on anchoring our value credentials and we will step up our marketing activity to maintain our current momentum in building customer frequency and loyalty."
Aldi, Britain's fastest growing grocer, is set to open its newest Rotherham store later this month.
Planning permission was secured in 2014 for a 10,700 sq ft store on land previously occupied by lighting and conservatory retail units on Bawtry Road at Bramley.
The new store was expected to open in 2016, creating 40 jobs.
The German retailer has now unveiled the opening date of January 19.
The planning permission for the store has been updated and modified a number of times - including changes to the elevations and signage, expanding delivery and opening hours, and an increase in size to 11,800 sq ft.
Advertisement With the site cleared and amended proposals granted in 2015 and 2016, building work commenced on site where access to the supermarket will be from Main Street and Cross Street.
Free parking is available for 1.5 hours for non customers as well as customers (reduced from an initial two hours to ensure that it is not congested or near full capacity).
The latest Aldi store to open in Rotherham was at Gate Park - the retail development on the site of the former car showroom on Great Eastern Way in Parkgate. Plans have been updated for proposed new Aldi stores in Maltby and Fence.
Aldi will open its 700th UK store in February and is recruiting 4,000 new permanent employees across stores and warehouses over 2017 as it looks to open around 70 new shops this year. By 2022, Aldi plans on opening 1,000 stores in the UK.
Rotherham's central Post Office in the town centre has been named in the latest list of Crown branches at risk of closure.
Post Office confirmed that it would be seeking partners for 37 of its directly managed branches as part of its efforts to secure its services in communities around the UK for the long term. This is in addition to 93 previously announced during the course of the last calendar year, nearly half of which have now successfully relocated into retail stores.
A partner is now being sought for the branch on Bridgegate in the town centre. If none can be found, the branch could close.
A second Post Offices on Wellgate is not part of the Crown network and offers less services.
The Bridgegate branch has been modernised in recent years with the addition of self-service machines and retail space for WH Smith stationery.
Rothbiz reported in October on the partnership between Heron Foods and Post Office which ensured that a branch remains in Dinnington.
Advertisement Roger Gale, sales and trade marketing director at Post Office, said: "We're committed to maintaining the Post Office's special place on the high street and the changes we are making underpin our continued commitment to give communities in every part of the country access to essential services.
"The Post Office's network of more than 11,600 branches is easily the largest in the UK, with 17 million customer visits a week. The vast majority of these branches are run with partners, and in the locations announced today we believe this will also be a more sustainable approach for the long term. With consumer habits changing, and the high cost of maintaining premises in prime high street locations, franchising helps us to keep services where our customers want and need them.
"We will take time to identify the right partners over the coming months and all proposals will be subject to local consultation.
"Post Office has a strong record of supporting people through change and we will be keeping affected staff fully informed as we develop our plans."
By franchising the Crown Post Offices to local businesses, the Communication Workers Union has estimated that 300 jobs will be lost nationwide.
Sarah Champion, MP for Rotherham, said: "The Government has made the announcement of closures before even responded to a consultation it held on the Post Office last year which is totally unacceptable.
"The Crown Post Office in Rotherham provides vital services like passport renewal and driving licence verification, which will be difficult for to people to access elsewhere.
"Rotherham deserves better. The closures can only be seen as a systematic attack on our local services at a time Government should be investing in our infrastructure, not stripping it away."
Rotherham Council is open to discussions with the new owners of The Old Town Hall having rejected proposals for a market in the prominent town centre building.
Rothbiz revealed plans put forward by the privately owned investment firm, FCFM Group Ltd, to build 11 permanent market stalls within the Old Town Hall which would be let on a commercial basis.
Having acquired the property at auction, the owners have invested in redecoration of communal areas, much needed maintenance, unit upgrades, resurfacing and jet washing of the central arcade, new lighting and new signage.
The market proposal was knocked back this week with Commissioner Kenny supporting officers recommendations that the plans be refused.
A Council policy delegates authority to the market service to licence, or if necessary, prevent through legal action, any rival market within a six and two third mile radius of any market already operated by the service.
The market service raised concerns that a second permanent market in the town centre could have an adverse effect on both the retention of existing businesses and the attraction of new businesses to the Centenary Market Hall.
Advertisement Cllr. Denise Lelliott, cabinet member for jobs and the local economy, told the meeting: "While we are conscious that FCFM are investing in Rotherham we also have to make sure that it doesn't impact on our longer term growth plans, and especially in the markets where we have been working really hard to get markets increased.
"They [FCFM] have applied for a licence but they don't want to pay any market fees and there's no controls over who can go. There's nothing to stop them "poaching," for want of a better phrase, market stalls from our market."
Leader, Cllr. Chris Read, mentioned the effect of displacement rather than the creation of new businesses.
Damien Wilson, strategic director of regeneration & environment, added: "This is really important to set a marker for how we develop the town centre and the town centre offer. If we just accepted this proposal as it stands, there is the quite likely opportunity for current market traders in our markets to move into this market. The added value to the town is nothing, all we are doing is shifting occupiers around.
"There's nothing to stop us having further dialogue with FCFM, and it would be useful for us to sit down post this decision, just to say can we have a discussion about compromise where we can all benefit. There's nothing to stop us accepting a market in that area if it could be agreed that the terms were more sympathetic to developing the town centre. I.e. if they could attract new traders and not traders from the existing market.
"What we are all trying to achieve here is more footfall, more traders, different types of traders, and I think the current proposition [from FCFM] doesn't do that."
